Hi Madd,
You are more than welcome to join the Snake Valley Astronomical Association. You don't have to live here. We have members in Melbourne, the other side of Melbourne and even one in Perth!
We meet monthly for observing so it's not like you have to travel every week.
And the group nights aren't taken up with committee meetings. There's viewing to be done, why muck it up with meetings. And some don't come every month.
That's the good thing, you don't have to come every month. You please yourself when you want to come. But the facilities and book & accessories library is available to you to use.
And our Friendship
Which ever Club you end up being a part of, It is a great way to learn which scopes you like and help with learning more about Astronomy.
Try to make it up to our Astronomy Camp in November and you will get to sample all sorts of scopes.